Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY to the Mansion House in Dublin today with the official opening of the live animal crib.

Lord Mayor Christy Burke opened the crib, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

“I am proud to continue the tradition of having the Live Animal Crib here at the Mansion House. The Crib symbolises the sentiment of the first Christmas in the heart of Dublin and the animals are a welcome gift from the farmers of Ireland to Dublin for many years.”

Burke also thanked the Irish Farmers’ Association for donating the crib.

Entrance is free but donations are welcome to the Mansion House Fuel Fund which raised over €16,000 last year for charity. The Mansion House Fuel Fund is one of Dublin’s oldest charities and raises funds for a number of Dublin based charities including St. Vincent de Paul and Dublin Simon Community.

“Believe me I distributed cheques a couple of weeks ago to the most needy in the city: homeless services, St. Vincent de Paul, Simon,” Burke said of the fund.

IFA President Eddie Downey said he hopes the crib will bring “joy and excitement, particularly for young families, in the coming weeks”.